Romzi Ationg from Universiti Malaysia Sabah said while the proposed alliance only has three apparent components, they are made up of many parties who are eyeing various state assembly seats.
He predicted that at least 10 seats would be hotly contested, including Bengkoka – which was won by Umno in the last polls – but are being eyed by GRS components Parti Bersatu Sabah and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, as well as Upko.
“A concern is that parties left out of the running may end up becoming thorns in the alliance’s side due to dissatisfaction.
“Generally, Sabahan parties that aren’t chosen to run end up doing so anyway as independents, breaking the vote,” he told FMT.
Romzi said the scramble for seats also revolves closely around the nomination of the chief minister candidate, who will be chosen based on the number of seats won in the election.
“GRS will want its share of seats to be more than those held by PH and BN if it is to get its chief minister candidate, and the others will likewise try to get more seats if they want candidates of their own.
“This will be a source of conflict especially in winnable seats,” he said.
To avoid conflict, he said, all the parties should run independently in a free-for-all, as a government or coalition can be formed after the election, based on the federal government that came together after the 15th general election.
On Oct 28, Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the partnership among PH, BN and GRS is the most promising alliance to win the next state election.
BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously said the coalition had confirmed its partnership with PH for the Sabah polls due next year, and did not reject the possibility of GRS’s participation in the alliance as well.
Bernama also reported GRS chairman Hajiji Noor as saying his coalition is open to discussions with other parties, including BN, over an alliance, but stressing that GRS and PH Plus remain a solid partnership as of now.
However, Upko president Ewon Benedick said Sabah PH has yet to engage in formal discussions with any party regarding potential alliances for the upcoming polls, and that Sabah PH should have the autonomy to determine its partnerships and the nature of cooperation with other parties.
Lee Kuok Tiung, also from UMS, said despite the “black history” between Sabah Umno and GRS, following the “Kinabalu Move” in 2023, current political dynamics have room for a reunion of the two.
He said current politics are different, given Zahid’s openness to working with PH and GRS for the sake of Sabah’s political stability.
“That said, this alliance can only become a reality if all three coalitions can manage any lingering mistrust and prioritise Sabah’s interests,” he said.